The best adventure holiday destinations

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is well-known David Attenborough territory. Thanks to the wealth of national parks and nature reserves, the whole country is pretty much a haven for wildlife. Not only can you spot sleepy sloths, tree frogs and colourful toucans hanging out in the trees, you can explore the rainforest in style. Head to the Monteverde Cloud Forest and you can test your head for heights by crossing eight sky-high hanging bridges. Or, go one better, and sign up for a zip-lining trip to swing Tarzan-style through the tree tops.

Sri Lanka

This tiny teardrop-shaped island packs in so many adrenaline-fuelled activities – safari jeep tours, surfing, and hiking to the top of sky-high temples, to name but a few. If you’re an animal lover, you’ll get the chance to tour Sri Lanka’s wildlife parks like Minneriya National Park and Udawalawe National Park, spotting leopards, sloth bears, buffaloes and elephants as you go. And, the island is also a top surfing spot, thanks to its perfect position in the Indian Ocean to catch those north-westerly trade winds, so grab your board and take to the waters.

Mauritius

When we say Mauritius, you probably think beaches and luxury resorts. But, this place is much more than a honeymoon hotspot - it also happens to be an under-the-radar adrenaline-junkies’ haven, too. Head to the Black River Gorges National Park and you can explore the wildlife and tropical plants before strapping yourself into a harness and abseiling down a waterfall and into a canyon – yes, really. Mauritius is also a top sky diving spot, thanks to the near-perfect jump-out-of-a-plane conditions and beautiful island views you can get from above. Plus, if you’re a bit of a culture buff, you can check out the many colourful Tamil temples dotted around the island, and the famous Seven Coloured Earths to get a selfie next to every shade of sand.

St Lucia

St Lucia, also known as the ‘Hawaii of the Caribbean’, pairs its gorgeous tropical scenery with some amazing once-in-a-lifetime activities. You can drive through an actual volcano and take a mud bath in the thermal waters. Or, you can zip-line at 30mph through the jungle, spotting the colourful St Lucia parrots along the way. If you’re a foodie, you’ll love the weekly Friday night fish fry in the tiny local village of Gros Islet – it always turns into a lively party. Or, visit a working cocoa plantation, like the one at Jade Mountain resort, and take part in the tree-to-bar experience where you can make your own chocolate bar from freshly-picked beans.

Lapland

Santa’s hometown isn’t just for kids. Along with meeting the big man himself, having snowball fights with elves, and baking Christmas cookies with Mrs Claus, you can get stuck in to some thrilling snow sports in Lapland, too. There’s snowmobile riding, where you can whizz James Bond-style across icy lakes, reaching speeds of up to 50mph. Or hop on a husky-pulled sleigh and ride through the dreamy, snow-covered landscape. There’s also 220 kilometres of cross-country trails for skiing fans, and unique activities like snowshoe hiking to try as well.

Ready to book your next adventure-filled break?

Browse our full list of destinations. Or, read about the best jungle-themed holidays and the best national parks for everyone.

Author: Selina Akhtar